Treasure Coast leaders discuss priorities with legislative delegation

TALLAHASSEE — Treasure Coast community leaders bounced ideas off their lawmakers and got a state outlook from top Tallahassee officials Thursday at the Capitol.

During the Florida's Research Coast Legislative Conference, locals laid out priorities ranging from Hurricane Sandy beach recovery money to Gov. Rick Scott's call to eliminate a tax on manufacturing. With the state facing its first budget surplus in six years, lawmakers were receptive and cautiously optimistic that even priorities carrying a price tag — like additional beach funding — stood a chance.

The group also heard from the governor's chief of staff, Adam Hollingsworth, who said Scott has 20 prospective economic development projects that could create 800 jobs or more. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam touched on water farming — or renting the right to flood an owner's land so rainwater doesn't get dumped into local waterways. Putnam said the practice helps to keep down nutrient levels that sully the St. Lucie River.

Commerce Secretary and Enterprise Florida President/CEO Gray Swoope also spelled out the competitive state-versus-state environment in which Florida competes for new jobs.

A few of the Treasure Coast government, business and schools attendees included Port St. Lucie Mayor JoAnn Faiella, Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce President Penny Chandler.